About 80 people gathered together last Wednesday for an official groundbreaking at the site of Montgomery's new library building just off Clepper Road. With land donated by Phillip and Holly LeFevre, the new $2 million building being designed by Richard Willis and constructed by the Fairweather Group, will rest on the soon to be constructed Bessie Price Owen Drive in the City of Montgomery's new Buffalo Springs subdivision.

"We have looked forward to this day," said Library Director Jerilynn Williams, who described the afternoon as a time of joy and excitement. "A library is not a place where people borrow books, but a portal through which people travel on amazing adventures, empowering their fantasies and their lives," she stated.

"We need this library due to the community growth," Precinct 1 County Commissioner Mike Meador stated. Montgomery County Judge Alan "Barb" Sadler agreed as he addressed the crowd stating, "This is one of the hottest areas in Montgomery County; we need this library times ten."

The new Montgomery County West Branch Library promises to provide enhanced services to residents. Falling in just short of 15,000 sq. ft., the new facility will feature a large meeting room with separate entrance, a conference and study room, shelving to accommodate approximately 50,000 items, seating for 80 persons, and 34 public access computers. Construction is expected to be complete by spring/summer 2005.